Striking plate for golf club head

ABSTRACT

A golf club head includes a body and a striking plate mounted to the body. The body includes a coupling section at a front side thereof. The striking plate includes a striking portion for striking a golf ball and a perimeter wall extending rearward along a perimeter edge of the striking portion. The perimeter wall includes an end portion for coupling with the coupling section of the body. At least one reinforcing protrusion is formed on an inner face of the perimeter wall for improving vibration resistance of the body and the striking plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a striking plate. In particular, the present invention relates to a striking plate for a golf club head.

2. Description of Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,129 (corresponding Taiwan Utility Model Publication No. 557806) discloses a golf club head capable of enlarging a flexible area of a ball-hitting face thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the golf club head comprises a body 10 and a striking plate 20. The body 10 comprises a toe 11, a heel 12, a crown (or blade) 13, a sole 14, a hosel 15, and a coupling section 16. The coupling section 16 is formed along a perimeter of a front side of the body 10. The striking plate 20 includes a striking face 21 and a perimeter wall 22 bent rearward along a perimeter edge of the striking face 21. The striking plate 20 is thus U-shaped in section. An end portion 221 of the perimeter wall 22 of the striking plate 20 is engaged with the coupling section 16 of the body 10 by welding or brazing. After assembly, the striking plate 20 and the body 10 together form a golf club head. When hitting a golf ball, the perimeter wall 22 improves the elastic deformability of the striking face 21 of the striking plate 20, thereby providing improved striking effect.

A design trend for golf club heads is to shift the center of gravity of a golf club head downward to increase the inertia moment and to increase the distance through which a ball hit by the golf club head flies. The lower the center of gravity, the closer the sweet spot of the striking plate 20 to the sole 14 of the body 10. In this case, the elastic deformability of the perimeter wall 22 of the striking plate 20 adjacent to the sole 14 is the main factor. The perimeter wall 22 has uniform elastic deformability. In other words, every portion of the perimeter wall 22 has the same elastic deformability. However, the elastic deformation provided by the sweet spot is limited on the premise that the width of the perimeter wall 22 adjacent to the sole 14 is not increased. Similar situation exists when the center of gravity of the golf club head is shifted upward.

Further, although the elastic deformability of the striking plate 20 is improved by the perimeter wall 22, stress concentration is apt to occur between the end portion 221 of the perimeter wall 22 and the coupling section 16 of the body 10. Cracking is liable to occur in the perimeter wall 22 or welding bead at the location of the stress concentration although the location of the stress concentration varies according to different types of the golf club head. As a result, the striking plate 20 might be disengaged or damaged and the life of the golf club head is shortened.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head with improved vibration resistance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club head with improved elastic deformability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a golf club head comprises a body and a striking plate mounted to the body. The body comprises a coupling section at a front side thereof. The striking plate comprises a striking portion for striking a golf ball and a perimeter wall extending rearward along a perimeter edge of the striking portion. The perimeter wall comprises an end portion for coupling with the coupling section of the body. At least one reinforcing protrusion is formed on an inner face of the perimeter wall for improving vibration resistance of the body and the striking plate. Preferably, the perimeter wall has a width that varies along a perimeter length thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a golf club head comprises a body and a striking plate mounted to the body. The body comprises a coupling section at a front side thereof. The striking plate comprises a striking portion for striking a golf ball and a perimeter wall extending rearward along a perimeter edge of the striking portion. The perimeter wall comprises an end portion for coupling with the coupling section of the body. The perimeter wall includes a width that varies along a perimeter length thereof for improving elastic deformability of a sweet spot of the striking portion.

Preferably, the at least one reinforcing protrusion is located corresponding to at least one stress-concentrating area on the inner face of the perimeter wall.

Preferably, the at least one reinforcing protrusion is located on the inner face of a bottom portion or a top portion of the perimeter wall and adjacent to a toe or a heel of the body. Alternatively, the at least one reinforcing protrusion is located on the inner face of a toe-side-portion of the perimeter wall.

Preferably, the width of the perimeter wall varies in a continuous or discontinuous manner.

Preferably, variation of the width of the perimeter wall is positively related to a location of the center of gravity of the golf club head and a location of a sweet spot of the striking plate.

Preferably, the width of a bottom portion of the perimeter wall is greater than that of a top portion of the perimeter wall. In an alternative example, the width of the top portion of the perimeter wall is greater than that of the bottom portion of the perimeter wall. In another alternative example, the width of a toe portion of the perimeter wall is greater than that of a heel portion of the perimeter wall. In a further alternative example, the width of the heel portion of the perimeter wall is greater than that of the toe portion of the perimeter wall.

Preferably, the front side of the body further comprises a sidewall portion substantially orthogonal to the coupling section. Preferably, the perimeter wall of the striking plate comprises a side opening adjacent to a heel of the body for coupling with the sidewall portion of the body.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional golf club head.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a golf club head with a first embodiment of a striking plate in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the golf club head in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a golf club head with a second embodiment of the striking plate in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the striking plate in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the striking plate in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the striking plate in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 2 shows a golf club head with a first embodiment of a striking plate in accordance with the present invention. The golf club head comprises a body 10 and a striking plate 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the golf club head is of iron type. Nevertheless, the striking plate 20 in accordance with the present invention can be used with golf club heads of other types, such as wood type, utility type, putter type, etc.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the body 10 is preferably made of metal, alloy, or non-metal material and formed by casting, forging, or mechanic processing. The body 10 comprises a toe 11, a heel 12, a crown (or blade) 13, and a sole 14. A hosel 15 is formed on a side of the body 10 for coupling with a shaft (not shown). The body 10 further comprises a coupling section 16 and a sidewall portion 17. Preferably, the body 10 further comprises a cavity 18 having an open or closed end. The coupling section 16 is substantially a front perimeter face on a front side of the body 10. The sidewall portion 17 is substantially adjacent to the heel 12 and extends in a direction perpendicular to a general plane on which the coupling section 16 lies. A volume of the sole 14 is preferably greater (or smaller) than that of the crown 13 to shift the center of gravity of the golf club head downward (or upward) according to product needs.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the striking plate 20 is preferably made of metal, alloy, or non-metal material and formed by casting, forging, or mechanic processing. The striking plate 20 comprises a striking portion 21, a perimeter wall 22 (elastic deforming portion) 23, an elastic deforming space 23, a side opening 24, and at least one reinforcing protrusion 25 (two in this embodiment). The striking portion 21 is substantially planar. Nevertheless, the thickness of a central area of the striking portion 21 can be increased for striking a golf ball.

The perimeter wall 22 is formed by bending a perimeter edge of the striking portion 21 rearward to form a striking plate 20 that is U-shaped in section. The perimeter wall 22 defines the elastic deforming space 23 allowing rearward deformation of the striking portion 21. The side opening 24 is located on a side of the elastic deforming space 23 adjacent to the heel 12.

The reinforcing protrusions 25 are integrally formed on or assembled to an inner perimeter face of the perimeter wall 22. The reinforcing protrusions 25 have a thickness substantially greater than that of the remaining portion of the perimeter wall 22. Preferably, the reinforcing protrusions 25 are located on at least one stress-concentrating area of the perimeter wall 22. The stress-concentrating areas of the perimeter wall 22 vary according to different types of the golf club heads. For example, the stress-concentrating areas may be on the inner perimeter face of the perimeter wall 22 and adjacent to the toe 11 or the heel 12.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the width of the perimeter wall 22 continuously changes along a perimeter direction thereof. The change of the width of the perimeter wall 22 is positively related to the location of the center of the gravity (not shown) and the location of the sweet spot (not shown). For example, in a case that the center of gravity of the overall golf club head is too low such that the sweet spot of the striking portion 21 is too close to the sole 14, the width L2 of a bottom portion of the perimeter wall 22 is preferably greater than the width L1 of a top portion of the perimeter wall 22. Similarly, in a case that the center of gravity of the overall golf club head is too high such that the sweet spot of the striking portion 21 is too close to the crown 13, the width L1 of the top portion of the perimeter wall 22 is preferably greater than the width L2 of the bottom portion of the perimeter wall 22. Similarly, in a case that the center of gravity of the overall golf club head is shifted too outward such that the sweet spot of the striking portion 21 is too close to the toe 11, the width of a toe-side-portion of the perimeter wall 22 is preferably greater than the width of the heel-side-portion of the perimeter wall 22. Similarly, in a case that the center of gravity of the overall golf club head is shifted too inward such that the sweet spot of the striking portion 21 is too close to the heel 12, the width of a heel-side-portion of the perimeter wall 22 is preferably greater than the width of the toe-side-portion of the perimeter wall 22.

Referring to FIG. 3, in assembly, the end portion 221 of the perimeter wall 22 of the striking plate 20 is abutted against the coupling section 16 of the body 10. Then, welding, brazing, or bonding is carried out according to product needs. The side opening 24 of the striking plate 20 is engaged with the sidewall portion 17 of the body 10. Thus, the perimeter wall 22 and the coupling portion 16 provide a coupling plane that is orthogonal to that provided by the side opening 24 and the sidewall portion 17. The engaging strength is thus improved.

After assembly, the striking plate 20 and the body 10 together form a golf club head. The perimeter wall 22 of the striking plate 20 improves the elastic deformability of the striking portion 21, which is advantageous when hitting a golf ball with the golf club head. In particular, in a case that the center of gravity of the overall golf club head is too low such that the sweet spot of the striking portion 21 is too close to the sole 14, the width L2 of a bottom portion of the perimeter wall 22 is selected to be greater than the width L1 of a top portion of the perimeter wall 22. Thus, the bottom portion of the perimeter wall 22 improves the elastic deformability of the sweet spot of the striking portion 21. The overall striking effect of the golf club head is thus improved.

Referring to FIG. 3, although stress concentration occurs in at least one area between the end portion 221 of the perimeter wall 22 and the coupling section 16 of the body 10 when the golf club head hits a golf ball, the at least one reinforcing protrusion 25 on the inner face of the perimeter wall 22 effectively avoids cracking of the sidewall 22 or the welding bead, thereby preventing the striking plate 20 from being disengaged or damaged. The vibration-resistance of the golf club head is improved and the life of the golf club head is prolonged.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of the striking plate 20 in accordance with the present invention, wherein the striking plate 20 is used with a wood type golf club head. Similarly, the perimeter wall 22 with varied width provides the sweet spot of the striking portion 22 with improved elastic deformability, whereas the reinforcing protrusions 25 effectively avoid cracking of the sidewall 22 or the welding bead, thereby preventing the striking plate 20 from being disengaged or damaged. The vibration resistance of the golf club head is improved and the life of the golf club head is prolonged.

FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment modified from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, two reinforcing protrusions 25 are formed on the inner face of the top portion of the perimeter wall 22 and located adjacent to the toe 11 or the heel 12. The reinforcing protrusions 25 effectively avoid cracking of the sidewall 22 or the welding bead, thereby preventing the striking plate 20 from being disengaged or damaged. The vibration resistance of the golf club head is improved and the life of the golf club head is prolonged.

FIG. 6 illustrates a fourth embodiment modified from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a reinforcing protrusion 25 is formed on the inner face of the toe-side-portion of the perimeter wall 22. The reinforcing protrusion 25 effectively avoids cracking of the sidewall 22 or the welding bead, thereby preventing the striking plate 20 from being disengaged or damaged. The vibration resistance of the golf club head is improved and the life of the golf club head is prolonged.

FIG. 7 illustrates a fifth embodiment modified from the first embodiment. In this embodiment, variation of the perimeter wall 22 of the striking plate 20 along a perimeter length thereof is discontinuous (or stepped) according to product needs. The change of the width of the perimeter wall 22 is positively related to the location of the center of gravity (not shown) of the golf club head and the location of the sweet spot (not shown). The coupling section 16 of the body 10 is correspondingly stepped. In particular, in a case that the center of gravity of the overall golf club head is too low such that the sweet spot of the striking portion 21 is too close to the sole 14, the width of a bottom portion of the perimeter wall 22 is selected to be greater than the width of a top portion of the perimeter wall 22. Alternatively, the perimeter wall 22 may include increased thickness at the top portion, the toe-side-portion, or the heel-side-portion, depending on the product needs. Thus, the perimeter wall 22 improves the elastic deformability of the sweet spot of the striking portion 21. The overall striking effect of the golf club head is thus improved.

While the principles of this invention have been disclosed in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and that any modification and variation without departing the spirit of the invention is intended to be covered by the scope of this invention defined only by the appended claims. 

1. A golf club head comprising: a body comprising a coupling section at a front side thereof; a striking plate mounted to the body, the striking plate comprising a striking portion for striking a golf ball and a perimeter wall extending rearward along a perimeter edge of the striking portion, the perimeter wall comprising an end portion for coupling with the coupling section of the body; and at least one reinforcing protrusion formed on an inner face of the perimeter wall for improving vibration resistance of the body and the striking plate.
 2. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one reinforcing protrusion is located corresponding to at least one stress-concentrating area on the inner face of the perimeter wall.
 3. The golf club head as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one reinforcing protrusion is located on the inner face of a bottom portion of the perimeter wall and adjacent to a toe of the body.
 4. The golf club head as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one reinforcing protrusion is located on the inner face of a bottom portion of the perimeter wall and adjacent to a heel of the body.
 5. The golf club head as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one reinforcing protrusion is located on the inner face of a top portion of the perimeter wall and adjacent to a toe of the body.
 6. The golf club head as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one reinforcing protrusion is located on the inner face of a top portion of the perimeter wall and adjacent to a heel of the body.
 7. The golf club head as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one reinforcing protrusion is located on the inner face of a toe-side-portion of the perimeter wall.
 8. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the perimeter wall has a width that varies along a perimeter length thereof.
 9. The golf club head as claimed in claim 8, wherein the width of the perimeter wall varies in one of continuous and discontinuous manner.
 10. The golf club head as clamed in claim 8, wherein variation of the width of the perimeter wall is positively related to a location of the center of gravity of the golf club head and a location of a sweet spot of the striking plate.
 11. The golf club head as claimed in claim 8, wherein the width of a bottom portion of the perimeter wall is greater than that of a top portion of the perimeter wall.
 12. The golf club head as claimed in claim 8, wherein the width of a top portion of the perimeter wall is greater than that of a bottom portion of the perimeter wall.
 13. The golf club head as claimed in claim 8, wherein the width of a toe portion of the perimeter wall is greater than that of a heel portion of the perimeter wall.
 14. The golf club head as claimed in claim 8, wherein the width of a heel portion of the perimeter wall is greater than that of a toe portion of the perimeter wall.
 15. The golf club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front side of the body further comprises a sidewall portion substantially orthogonal to the coupling section.
 16. The golf club head as claimed in claim 15, wherein the perimeter wall of the striking plate comprises a side opening adjacent to a heel of the body for coupling with the sidewall portion of the body. 